Hampshire grad Ellett being rewarded for her hard work at NIU

Hampshire graduate Connie Ellett knows a thing or two about golf.

But the current Northern Illinois University senior women's golfer also knows a thing or two about having a plan in life.

After she leaves DeKalb Ellett's plan involves a career as a saleswoman. I have to admit that's the first time in more than two decades of doing this that the word sales has been uttered when I've asked about future plans. And it didn't take much of a sales job for Ellett to convince me she knows exactly what she wants or that she likely will be darned good at it.

"I want to get a sales job right out of school," said Ellett, who noted NIU has one of the top sales programs in the country. "Sales, for sure, is very competitive, but I'm used to that in sports with the competitive aspect."

Ellett, who has a 3.89 grade-point average at NIU majoring in marketing and sales, sees a career in sales along the same lines as taking to the links at NIU. "Sales relates to golf because you are out there by yourself and you are in charge of your own success. If you are in a bad situation you have to figure out how to get out of it and make the situation better. With sales you get rewarded for all the hard work you put in. You are in control of how much money you make."

On the course this fall Ellett's had her "money" moments. In particular, her play helped NIU set a new program record for 18-hole (292) and 54-hole rounds (888) at the recent Cardinal Classic hosted by Ball State. At that tournament, Ellett took 10th individually with a career-best 221 and finished the final round with an even-par 72. Her four-day total at the Cardinal Classic ranks fourth all-time in NIU history.

"It's nice to see all our hard work pay off," said Ellett. "It's very cool to see everybody do so well at the same tournament (NIU had 3 players finish in the Top 10). It's one of the first invitationals I can remember where we were all satisfied when we came home."

During her 72 round, Ellett didn't miss a green until the 16th hole and finished with 2 birdies and 14 pars.

"I don't think I missed a fairway all tournament," she said. "My putter was going. Everything came together in one weekend. It was a stress reliever. I didn't have to do a whole lot to make it work out there."

Ellett said an increased focus on ball striking has made a major difference in her game this season. "Junior year I didn't hit the ball particularly well. My swing was messed up," she explained. "I worked on my grip and now I'm hitting the ball straighter this season and it's easier to score. The last two years I relied too much on my short game. Now I'm able to strike the ball better and that makes rounds more scoreable."

NIU women's coach Kim Kester has high praise for Ellett as a leader. "We needed a leader to step up and she has," she said. "Connie leads by example. She works every day at all aspects of her game and that rubs off on everybody else."

Looking back, Ellett can't believe she's in her senior season of collegiate golf. "It's gone by so fast," she said. "I feel like I should still be a freshman, but I'm not. Now it's like, 'Oh, wow. The freshmen look up to you.' I'm finally the old one on the team. I will miss the girls on the team, the fun we have and the travel. I would say I'm very fortunate. Not a lot of kids can say they will leave college with no debt and got to travel all over the world and work toward one of the best business degrees there is."

Ellett stressed she would not be in the position she's in without the help of her parents, Sue and Doug. Sue Ellett (who teaches at Hampshire) is the former Whip-Purs girls' basketball and girls' golf coach, while Doug Ellett (who teaches at Larkin) is the former Burlington Central baseball coach. Ellett's sister, Taylor, is finished with her golf eligibility at NIU and is wrapping up an education degree (currently student-teaching in Cortland).

"My parents pushed me though high school and college to do what it takes," she said. "They still are out there helping me with my game. I have to thank them for everything that has happened to me in my life. I have great parents."

Kester said drive and dedication are two key traits that fuel Ellett on the course. "She comes from a golfing family," she said. "I think that was ingrained into her when she was a young kid; work as hard as you can and by the end of the day if you've done everything, you've done it the right way."

And Ellett has done just that.

Rosch honored: Cary-Grove alum Ashley Rosch, now a senior outside hitter on the Illinois State women's volleyball team, recently was named the Missouri Valley Conference offensive player of the week.

During a 4-match stretch where ISU went 3-1, which included a second-place finish at the Dayton Flyer invitational, Rosch had 71 kills (4.18 per set) and 51 digs (3.00 per set). She also had 5 aces and 11 blocks. Rosch set a new career-high with 27 kills in the Redbirds' five-set win over Jacksonville in Dayton.

Rosch also earned MVC offensive player of the week honors on Sept. 8.

Gobbo at NIU: Bartlett product Nicole Gobbo is a senior forward on the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team. Through midweek, Gobbo was leading the team in goals (3), points (7), shots (26) and shots on goal (16). Also on the Huskies' team is Huntley graduate Delaney Loprieno, a sophomore midfielder.

Nilles at Marquette: Batavia graduate Mary Nilles, now a redshirt junior setter on the Marquette University women's volleyball team, recently recorded a double-double with 50 assists and 15 digs in the team's four-set victory over Northern Colorado. Both totals were career bests for Nilles. Through midweek Nilles was averaging 5.3 assists and 1.6 digs per set for 9-5 Marquette.

Kinane at Loyola: Fellow Batavia alum Stephanie Kinane has been a contributor to the success of the Loyola-Chicago women's volleyball team. Through midweek, Kinane, a senior defensive specialist-libero, was averaging 3.79 digs per set. She's played in 43 sets thus far for the Ramblers, who are off to a 12-3 overall start.

Mike Miazga has been writing about sports in the Fox Valley for more than two decades. Email him at mjm890@gmail.com.